A KOREAN war veteran is hoping to trace two former Naafi girls from the North-East.

John Scott, of Thornaby, near Stockton, Teesside, appealed to The Northern Echo to help trace Irene Butterfield and Betty Wilson, who used to help run the canteen at Brancepeth for the services during the Second World War.

Mr Scott, 71, who served with the Durham Light Infantry, said: "There is a reunion of the battalion with people from Durham and it would be great if we could find these two and get them to come along.

"The girls always looked after us, and it would be nice if they got in touch and to let them know they are still being remembered all these years later." Mr Scott can be contacted on (01642) 885021.

Other people trying to trace friends, relatives and old army pals include:

l Les Preston is seeking old army pal Arthur Richardson, who lived in Fletcher Crescent, Sunderland, in 1948. The pair were in the Royal Norfolk Regiment. Mr Preston can be contacted on (01325) 352927.

l Tracy Coates, of Durham. Ms Coates is looking for her father, David Anthony Wright-Bellamy, known as Dave Brown. Originally from Middlesbrough, 52-year-old Mr Brown was last known to be living in Edenbridge, Kent. Ms Coates can be contacted at 42 Davis Crescent, Langley Park, Durham, DH7 9UP.

l John Lamplugh of Wallsend, Tyneside. Mr Lamplugh is looking for relations of army pal Gunner Williams, who was killed during the Korean War. He has a photograph of Mr Williams's grave. Mr Lamplugh can be contacted at 15 Belsay Close, Battlehill, Wallsend, NE28 9BQ, or telephone 0797 462 9249.

l Julie Laverick (nee Kid), of Northallerton, North Yorkshire. Ms Laverick is trying to trace her best friend from school, Amanda Lincoln, whose last known address was at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Scotland. Ms Laverick's e-mail address is Julie.Laverick